Prime Time Playoffs At Summer Classic

The playoffs are here for the St. Francis Summer Classic and the championships are on the horizon. The regular season concluded with makeup games on Friday, August 3 before everyone got down to business on Monday, August 6.

The nightcap was a thriller as Belle Harbor Chemists broke the heart of 265 Entertainment with a 52-50 double overtime victory. Kailey O’Grady’s buzzer beating half court shot sent the game into overtime after 265 thought they had the game won. O’Grady repeated the feat in the first overtime with another 3-pointer to force another extra period.

It looked all for naught for Belle Harbor when she fouled out, but Lauren Marten picked up the gauntlet, scoring 5 of her game high 18 points to secure the win. O’Grady finished with 17 points, Lauren Peters had 12, Emma Meade 11, along with Kathryn Gibson and Breanne McDonnell adding 10 points each for 265 Entertainment.

The magic wore off in Tuesday’s semifinals as Rockaway W.I.S.H. cruised to the win over Belle Harbor Chemists, 52- 38 led by Keeley McEachern. Walsh Properties earned the other spot in the championship game with a 48-35 win over Belle Hartbor Breezy Point Physical Therapy. The game is tentatively scheduled for Monday at 7:00 p.m. but may be rescheduled.

TJ Powderly and Charlie Bostwick combined for 31 points as New York Surf School advanced past Breen Electric 44-35. John Moran had 15 for Breen Electric. Rockaway Little League completed the quarterfinals by beating Carvel 54-42 as Chris Izien scored 13 and Dylan Abernethy 11. Kevin Connelly scored 14 in defeat. Wednesday’s semifinals pitted Moriarty against Surf School and Little League against The Wave. The championship will be Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Cyberzone knocked out the defending champion Melons 53-43 as Finn Kinsella scored 19 points and Andrew Sullivan 15. Ryan Moran scored 19 points and Alex Goldberg 13 for the Melons. Boarders Surf Shop withstood a late rally from The Storage Place to hold on for a 47-40 win. Ryan Loeffel led with 18. Kyle Connolly had 10 for The Storage Place. Wednesday’s matchups were O’Connor-Boarders and Zella-Cyberzone. The championship is Monday at either 7:30 p.m. or 8:15.

Ameritag beat JG Electrical Installations to start the Boys High School playoffs.

Matt Allesandro redeemed himself after missing a critical free throw, to record a crucial steal and subsequent layup on the final possession, to seal the victory for J & E Industries to beat BRS Bullets 38-35. Lucas Savage scored 15 points for J & E and Kevin and Matt Crockett each scored 16 points for BRS.

Total Office Planning was the clear favorite as the top seed but Grayridersband.com fought them all the way. Grayridersband.com just ran out of time after making a defensive steal, but time ran out with no chance to get a shot off as Total Office escaped 63-62.

Bard Featherston notched 19 points and Charles Gavigan added 17. Conor Gallagher scored 22 points and Tom Bellettiere chipped in with 15 for the Grayriders. The Orangemen are the fourth semifinalists as they defeated the Graybeards behind 24 from Matt O’Neill. Luke Schreiner had 14 for the Graybeards. Wednesday’s games had Ameritag against the Orangemen followed by Total Office against J & E. This Tuesday night at 8:15 p.m., the championship game will take place.

The Men’s Open Quarterfinals were Thursday night. Semifinals are this Wednesday with the championship on Thursday at 7:30.

The Women’s Open regular season ended on Tuesday with Rockaway Seafood Company in first place (7-1), Elegante in second (6-2), Harbor Light in third (4-4). The match to decide fourth & fifth place went into double overtime with Bungalow Bar edging out Jameson’s and clinching the fourth spot in the playoffs. Bungalow Bar (2-6) are in fifth place and Jameson’s (1-7) round out the division.

The semifinals are on Monday night at 7:15 with Rockaway Seafood Co vs. Bungalow Bar and the 8:15 p.m. game is Elegante vs Harbor Light. The championship is Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. in the gym.

The Girls High School Division will conclude this week with semifinals on Thursday and the championship held on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to come out to the Father Grogan Memorial Schoolyard for the final week of the 28th Annual St. Francis Summer Classic.